TCM Consultation

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the face reflects the state of the internal organs. Your practitioner observes the colour, lustre and texture of your complexion, as well as your eyes, lips and expression.

A pale, dull or flushed complexion, or changes in particular areas of the face, help indicate patterns such as Qi or Blood deficiency, heat or cold, and which organ systems may be involved.

Pulse diagnosis is one of the most refined skills in Chinese medicine. Your practitioner feels the radial pulse at three positions on each wrist, at three different depths.

The speed, strength, rhythm, width and quality of the pulse give detailed information about the balance of Qi and Blood and the function of each organ system.

Different areas of the tongue correspond to different organ systems. Your practitioner looks at the colour and shape of the tongue body, any cracks or teeth marks, and the colour and thickness of the coating.

Because the tongue changes relatively slowly, it is a reliable guide to underlying patterns and to how you are responding to treatment over time.

Your practitioner observes your posture, build and movement, and may gently palpate areas of discomfort, acupuncture points and channels to find tenderness, tension, temperature changes or swelling.

This is especially important for pain and musculoskeletal conditions, and helps locate the most effective points for treatment.

A detailed conversation completes the picture. As well as your main concern and medical history, your practitioner will ask about sleep, appetite and digestion, energy, temperature, emotions and, for women, the menstrual cycle.

These questions may seem unrelated to your symptoms, but in Chinese medicine they reveal the patterns behind them, so that treatment addresses the root cause as well as the symptoms.